Protective barrier serum that helps to give the skin an even texture; cocktail of targeted antioxidants that diminishes the look of lines and wrinkles by up to 54%.

Armed with Super Antioxidant System (SAS), it defends against the visible aging effects of free radicals triggered by environmental assaults both immediately after exposure and again up to 72 hours later. It helps strengthen skin and boost its natural defenses by helping skin bolster its collagen production to improve visible skin tone, radiance and diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Inexpensive, natural toner that helps to freshen up and tighten the skin.

Rose water is an effective, exhilarating freshener that not only tones the skin but also lifts the spirit. Neal’s Yard is the most economic i had tried ; Aromatherapy Associates has a damask rose facial toner ; Amanda Lacey & Chantecaille both have luxurious rose tonics ( almost pure rose distillate ).

Helps to reduce the depth of wrinkles and hydrates the skin to give the face a plumped-up, youthful glow.This revolutionary Anti-Ageing cream uses the Marine extract Padina Pavonica to transform the complexion in just over 2 weeks. Trials proved that the appearance in wrinkle depth was reduced by up to 78% and that hydration was increased by up to 45%. Skin firmness and elasticity are dramatically increased, whilst providing superior free radical protection.

Collagen is a great moisture magnet, but i don’t believe topical application of collagen enriched skin cream could revive/enhance collagen production in the dermis. I prefer creams with retinoids, peptides, alpha hydroxy acids.

4) Jurlique Biodynamic Beauty Serum

A lightweight serum made from biodynamic ingredients ; Rich in the living energy of organic Black Elder and Licorice, this serum helps fade discolorations and brightens skin for increased radiance ; Beech Tree Buds, Hibiscus and Yeast help strengthen the skin.

Jurlique’s biodynamic serum leaves a matt finish due to the presence of starch and i don’t find it nourishing enough. Biodynamic? Sounds more like a marketing scam.

5) Eve Lom Kiss Mix

Compact lip treatment which moisturises lips and gives a dewy, subtle sheen. One application lasts a long time.

My favorite! ( at least one of ) – dense enough for protection and nourishment , yet light enough for comfort; It’s also quite “minty” on application; The only complaint is you have to dip your finger into the pot……

A light yet very nourishing night cream that is easily and hygenically dispensed from a nifty press pump.

I enjoy using Vaishaly’s product; no hypes, simple rituals, delicate scents, good enough to eat ingredients……

8) Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Extremely gentle exfoliant that can be used every day for a brighter-looking appearance.

As I use Eve Lom’s cleanser with polishing cloth, i find this unnecessary ; However, powdery paste like Dermalogica’s daily microfoliant is less abrasive when skin is blemished/irritated/inflammed. Calmia has a similar version ( skin bright micro polish ), both containing fruit enzymes and acids to renew the skin.

9) Chanel Précision Lait Confort creamy cleansing milk

A light, everyday cleaning milk which is soft on the skin and effectively removes the day’s grime.

There are plenty of equally efficient cleansing milk out there, which your bank manager will agree……

10) Dr Sebagh creme Extreme Maintenance

Ultra-rich cream specifically designed for very dry or sensitive skin. Absorbs easily.

An easily absorbed daily moisturiser with antioxidants and the bonus of an inbuilt SPF 15.

This kind of formulation might be a breakthrough in the 90’s, but what’s so special about it nowadays? I demand my day cream to have antioxidant properties and sun screens ( including sufficient UVA protection )

12) Ila face mask for revitalising skin

Clay-based mask infused with Damascene rose otto and Argan oil that draws out impurities without drying the skin. Gives the face a bright glow.

Frankly, i disagree with most of the tips; don’t get me wrong, the principles are right, but rules are meant to be broken! Aren’t they?

IMO, we could be more resourceful, creative & daring.

Remember, you are your own guru.

Put on whatever you feel comfortable with; whatever makes you happy.

Makeup Tip 1)

Apply concealer to the areas of concern like eye bags, dark eye rings or any blemishes for better foundation coverage or for a more natural skin tone.

Well, i find optically illuminating highlighter offers a much credible and forgiving coverage to dark circles.

If you couldn’t be bothered by concealing, why not try the smudged smoky look? Bet you got a fairly good base to begin with already.

In terms of blemishes, i tend to cover mine with my usual foundation. I just apply mine in layers with a concealer brush to build up the coverage, allowing each layer to dry off completely before the next.

If the blemish is not to prominent and i am in a playful mood, i actually turn it into a mole by painting it with liquid liner.

Makeup Tip 2)

If you have not been sleeping well and need to look fresh in an instant, blend a little concealer to the outer corner of your eye, put on simple eye shadow and a tinge of blusher to make your face glow.

I believe in applying a highlighter or beige shade with subtle shimmer over the inner corner of my eyes, lining the lower rim of my lids to open up and freshen up the windows to my soul.

When i am really tired/busy, i just put on a pair of shade or glasses with nice frame.

I like Tiffany, De Beer, Cartier, Harry Winston on my ring finger; I will not put any inferior foundation on my face.

Makeup Tip 6)

Extend your eyelashes by using mascara with lengthening and volumizing properties.

Well, what can i say? A mascara is a mascara; A great mascara is a miracle. It’s the lingerie equivalent of your wardrobe; It’s tiny, it’s sexy, and never underestimate its charm. Yes, it does need to have a clean, polished finish that oozes elegance & sultriness.

Give your eyes that lift by applying the correct type of eye shadow colors and also highlighting the eye ends near the nose area.

Remember what Coco Chanel said? Always minus 1! Do not go overboard with the shades. I know Dior’s 5 colour palette looks great over the display counter, but putting all 5 shades onto your lids will be another story.

My experience is pinkish shades never look good on puffy lids; Monotonous finish can be very flattering if done right; cream shadow is great if you are in a hurry.

No, you dont have to match the colour of the shadows to your iris; you can highlight wherever you want.

“The base of these three shades is black, to which we added a different sparkle for each of the colours: red, gold and blue. The Feu de Russie shade is intense and reflects passion. Or de Russie has a slight gold patina and evokes richness, while Nuit de Russie blue is full of mystery.

I like Or de & Nuit de Russie.

Oh , i have been a long time devotee of Cuir de Russie as well. I am lucky enough to get hold of the parfum before it was relaunched as part of the les exclusives in the form of EDT

Cuir de Russie, or Russian leather was a theme modern at the end of the 19th century. Many perfume houses were creating perfumes for women who smoked cigarettes. Chanel’s Cuir de Russie was created in 1924. as a provocative and shocking fragrance, and that exactly was its purpose, because it was created for a woman who dared to smoke cigarettes in public. It was a kind of encouragement and approval, because at that time a woman who smoked was a scandalous and inconceivable symbol of emancipation.

Cuir de Russie has an décadence avec élegance vibe; In the words of Luca Turin:

“Sumptuous leather, light and balsamic, forgoing any sugary compromise, Cuir de Russie regains its place at the top of this category, right next to the rather more jovialTabac Blond. […]Cuir de Russie is a striking hologram of luxury bygone: its scent like running the hand over the pearl grey banquette of an Isotta Frashini while forests of birch silently pass by”.

Chanel’s Cuir de Russie came out in 1924, a time at which the impact of Les Ballets Russes (1909-1929) was palpable. Russian émigrés having fled the motherland because of the revolution in 1917 had populated Paris and had lent it their own mark of decadent sophistication. Suddenly the exotic East, in which westerners classified the vast Russias since before the time of Peter the Great, became all the rage and the embodiment of everything forbidden and alluring. The datchas, the orthodox churches, the ballads on balalaikas, the Cossacks.

In the words of a critic of the times:

“nothing is more foreign to our tradition than those violent bursts, those frantic and intense dances, this instinctive frankness, this disproportionate imagination. The discordance is so brutal that one would be astonished by the tenacious favour that those people over there hold on us. The simple truth is that Russians fascinate us because they distrurb us”.

Legendary nose Ernest Beaux, guided by Chanel’s desires to dare, made women indulge in what is essentially a men’s scent formula, garlanding it though with sparkly, dry aldehydes and the eternal feminine flowers: jasmine, rose and ylang ylang; redolent of No.5’s own heart, giving a warm, honeyed aspect that contrasts with an icy element that enters and exits the scene like an aloof, declassé aristocrat ~in perfect accordance to what was the brief behind it: the leather pouches for jewels. The inclusion of rectified birch tar, supposedly along with styrax, gave it the brutish animalic touch of 20th century and the intelligent beauty of Constructivism arhictecture. Sublime cadenzas of amber and resin provide the warm but never too congenial backdrop hinting at a bygone luxury and perhaps a little smoking fetish, letting off a subtle hint of tobacco. Contrary to Tabac Blondhowever it weaves smoothness of skin and rounded contours under the dress that cloths the woman. This is supremely manifested in the far superior extrait de parfum concentration which, like all Chanel parfums, exploits the best of raw materials and gives the most luxuriant experience.

I prefer the parfum to EDT, it’s a choice between the cigarette & nicotine patches

Make your evening look pop with accents of ruby red in By Malene Birger’s jeweled bustier dress. It’s the precious extras on this piece that make it so special and perfect for holiday festivities. Ivory cotton strapless dress with contrast handmade embellishment at bodice. By Malene Birger dress has an empire waistline, a side zip fastening, a bubble hem, a removable bow peplum at back with hook fastening to detach.

Shine bright in these red star embellished sandals from Marc by Marc Jacobs. Cream-red-and-black star leather sandals with a heel that measures approximately 4inches high. Marc by Marc Jacobs sandals have three stars on the toe, one star on the heel, a diamond shaped heel and a buckle fastening ankle strap.

Complete this with a red lipstick & few drops of sexy perfume, i like Chanel’s infrarouge in Scarlet & Dior’s hypnotic poison.